There was this moment Wednesday when I really think I knew I probably was not cut out for this.

The summits were fine. I was slow and grunted like most people, but the sunshine, the sweeping vistas, the breathtaking views, all of it I enjoyed. I took it in with my fellow riders. I snapped pictures with my cell phone.

And then we started to come down.

Coming down should be fun. But the headwinds were so blustery, so windy, the dust sticking in our eyes, whipping our bikes, our jackets, our helmets. I pedaled. I pedaled and gravity should have just taken me there without a leg movement. Frankly, after three major passes, my legs were maxed out anyway.

Two people flew off their bikes in front of me from the wind. They were OK, one was standing there adjusting her sleeves. The other was riding along and a gust just took him out. I didn’t see the other accident where a man was transported to Swedish Hospital in Denver after a wind gust knocked him down.

I helped one of the fallen bikers dust off his jacket. I weighed what to do.

In 2012 I asked Bryan Boyle if he was interested in running the Chicago Marathon — two weeks later he asked if I was interested in Ride the Rockies. I got a road bike, got on the tour, and have yet to regret it. This will be my second RTR.